Operation Homefront co-founder drops lawsuit against organization

Dec. 19, 2013 - 07:09PM
|

A co-founder of Operation Homefront has dropped her lawsuit against the charity which had alleged wrongful termination and defamation of character.

Amy Palmer, who had served for 11 years as the charity’s chief development officer and chief programs and field operations officer, was fired on Sept. 17 after Operation Homefront officials discovered a discrepancy related to documentation regarding in-kind contributions. In the lawsuit filed Oct. 11 in state court in Bexar County, Texas, Palmer alleged that charity officials fired her for refusing to approve and submit “inaccurate and unlawful” reports to donors.

The charity did not accuse Palmer of theft, but described it as a discrepancy in documentation.

Neither Operation Homefront officials nor Palmer would comment on whether there was a settlement. Operation Homefront spokesman Tom Greer described it as a “resolution agreement.”

“Both parties regret this unfortunate situation,” stated a letter on Operation Homefront’s website. “Through subsequent discussions and with the assistance of Palmer, we subsequently verified that all the donated items in question are accounted for, and we have received a valid letter from a recipient nonprofit acknowledging the donation. Palmer indicates that she had no ill intent to harm Operation Homefront, its donors, or the military families we serve through any of her actions. We believe her, and we acknowledge her years of hard work to support tens of thousands of military families.”

Operation Homefront officials have instituted additional procedures for the identification, inventory control and prior approval of all donations by Operation Homefront to third-party nonprofit organizations, according to the website letter, even though the situation was discovered internally through existing procedures.

“We feel strongly that our ethical, responsible, and accountable actions regarding this situation will serve to reassure our donors and our partners that Operation Homefront is committed to the highest standards of transparency and integrity in meeting the emergency financial and other assistance needs of our military families and wounded warriors.”

Palmer said she has accepted the position as president and CEO of the charity Soldiers’ Angels.

Greer said Operation Homefront is “pleased to put this behind us. We’re focused on delivering the programs and services military families need at really the most critical time of the year, that being the holidays.” ■